Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the race, O'Donovan said: "I suppose I’m a small bit disappointed with finishing up fourth. It’s one of the worst places to finish really.

"At the same time, it’s a pretty good result at my first senior world championships, so there’s a lot to be taken away from that, so I’m fairly pleased.

"It’s a massive learning experience, it will be a huge advantage going forward."

"It’s a pretty good result at my first senior world championships"

O’Donovan had shown good form coming into the championships, coming fourth in July’s Under-23 World Championships in Italy, just missing out on repeating his bronze medal at the 2013 Under-23 World Championships.

The lightweight double sculls duo of Claire Lambe and Denise Walsh finished second in their C final, with the lightweight pair of Mark O’Donovan and Niall Kenny fourth in the B final.

The women’s four finished last of the four boats in the B final, while Sanita Puspure advanced to Sunday’s final of the single sculls after a third-place finish in her semi-final.